Headliner in Cabin

[oblivionboyj]

Currently the cabin in my boat is carpeted with a charcoal grey carpeting.
I believe it is some kind of indoor/outdoor, and while it looks ok I'm not in live with it.
It leaves the cabin a bit darker and appears smaller than it is.
I'd like to open up the space by changing to a lighter material, and likely avoiding carpet allot fetcher.

So I'm thinking an off white canvas.
My only question is how to attach it to the ceiling?
There are wood slats crossing the ceiling every few feet to support the headliner.
I was thinking about using staples under the slats to fasten it.
My worry with glue is that it will wick through the canvas and leave it unpleasantly discolored.

Any suggestions?

[Liam Wald]

Do the overhead with wood. It will last forever and not get musty.

[oblivionboyj]

Any suggestions on how to go about this?
Where to find materials?
Obviously teak is what I should use.

Still interested on answers about canvas too.

[Liam Wald]

Doesn't need to be teak. It isn't structural and it isn't exposed to elements.
I would use a semi-hard wood like whitewood, ash, or even good quality pine.
1/2"x2" battons. 1/4 round the top edges with a router. Stain to your taste and satisfaction then attach them to the cross slats with ss screws and finish washers.
If there is room to put some thin closed cell foam behind it that would be good too.

[JPA Cate]

Oblivionboy,

If you want to eliminate the "cavey" atmosphere, use white semi gloss paint rather than stain, varnishing only the trim, which you leave "bright"; 1/4" plywood panels, and if you want, add insulation between the deck and the new headliner. This sort of approach can look very "shippy", and it's a real convenience to be able to take down the headliner to access wiring from time to time, and as you add deck fittings, which sometimes happens, too.

[Beersmith]

I am replacing my old foam and vinyl headliner with to tongue and groove pine breadboard, very easy to work with and looks great after painting to match the rest of the interior. I hated not being able to access behind the old liner and now the panels are removable

[scoobert]

i want to replace mine too, but with the same stuff. it is some sort of vinyl/felt, glued to wood. it would look nice if it was not yellow from smoking and such.

[oblivionboyj]

What about using wood paneling, like you used to see in basements a lot, and painting it white?

[bauer965]

White Corian sheet is a great option (easy to clean, don't have to paint, million year half-life). You might be able to find a good amount near/in a dumpster at a construction site. It comes in varied textures to suit your style. Dependig on your application, 1/8" sheet can be stiff enough.

[Marksman]

Formica, the skys the limit on colors or wood grains, flexible and easy to cut, thin, easy to clean and very difficult to burn.

[oblivionboyj]

This is the paneling option in another 8.7



I think this will be how I go

[bauer965]

I think Formica and Corian is pretty much the same concept, and have the same benefits. The differences would likely be personal taste.
Corian does appear to be a tad heavier...for better or worse.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formica_(plastic)
Corian - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[oblivionboyj]

This stuff is what I believe I'll use...

http://m.lowes.com/pd_110598-293-FTB...les_dollar%7C1

It's not wood, so it's resistant to moisture, mildew, and rot.
It's also thin and flexible.
Ceilings are not one of its intended applications, but I believe that's just a liability issue.
There is a Lowes 20 minutes from my boat